Ultra-thin surface modification system

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a thin laminate for modifying the appearance of a surface. The laminate includes an indicia containing layer disposed against the lower surface of a carrier film. The laminate may optionally include a bonding coat or layer for attaching the laminate to a surface, at least one removable protective layer, and a release coating for facilitating the transfer of the laminate on a surface. The invention also provides methods and systems for modifying the appearance of a surface using the laminate.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention provides a laminate for modifying the appearanceof a surface, surfaces modified with the laminate, and methods formodifying the appearance of a surface with the laminate.

[0002] Floor care programs today are primarily used to both protect andenhance the appearance of a floor substrate. A variety of materialsincluding vinyl, marble, terrazzo, ceramic, linoleum, wood, etc. areused as floor substrates. Floor care programs can include many differenttypes of products, but generally involve the use of a sealer and/orfinish applied to the surface of the floor substrate. This finish isthen maintained with the use of cleaners and tools, which can includevarious buffing or burnishing machines. Although these programs are veryeffective they are considered a large expense to customers.Additionally, if a surface becomes worn or unsatisfactory over time, itis necessary to entirely remove the floor substrate, to provide a newfresher look to the floor.

[0003] In retail locations it is commonplace to place advertising and/ordirections in locations readily visible to the customer or client.Recently, several companies have begun producing floor graphics to meetthe needs of advertisers. These graphics consist of a printed filmcovered with some kind of top laminate meant to both protect the graphicand provide a non-slip surface. Unfortunately, many of the floorstickers available today provide for a slip, trip and fall hazard. Thesegraphics, which are applied over the floor finish, are very similar to asticker in that a backing is peeled off of the graphic, exposing anadhesive. The sticker is then pressed down onto the floor finish. Suchstickers are utilized by a variety of end users, but are primarily foundin industrial and retail locations where informational data oradvertising play an important role in impulse purchasing.

[0004] There are many product defects or deficiencies which make thepresently available types of graphics less than desirable for use inflooring or other surface applications. These include distorted image,difficulty in application, wearing or tearing of the sticker, difficultmaintenance due to use of mechanical equipment used in the floor careprocess which tend to tear up the edges of the graphic, and thickness ofthe graphic. Most often these deficiencies result in a poor appearance,low durability and a trip, slip and fall hazard for individuals walkingover or around the graphic. Additionally, such graphics tend toaccumulate dirt, especially where damage to the graphics has occurredand adhesive residue remains. Further, existing graphics are difficultto remove and sometimes take several coats of the surface finish offduring removal thereby requiring that the entire surface be stripped andrecoated with a finish. None of these products addresses the situationwhere it is desirable to change the appearance of the entire surface ora large portion of the surface.

[0005] In summary, a considerable number of deficiencies exist in theart relating to appearance modification and enhancing systems related toindoor and outdoor surfaces, such as floor surfaces, wall surfaces,ceilings, windows, vehicle surfaces, driveways, sidewalks, patios, andthe like. While prior art stickers provide a means for advertising andincluding a graphic on a sticker, the poor print quality, difficultapplication, difficult maintenance, thickness, poor adhesion and/orwearing and tearing, low durability and labor intensive and expensiveremoval and recoating process make them less than desirable, expensiveand time consuming options. Additionally, the danger posed by the wornor lifted edges of such stickers creates a safety hazard. Further, theappearance of such stickers is not very professional and is oftentimesdull or less than crisp. Additionally, when it is desirable to modifythe appearance of the entire surface or large portions thereof, fewoptions other than the expensive removal and replacement of thesubstrate exist.

[0006] Thus, there is an ongoing search for an appearance modificationsystem which would enable a surface to be altered partially or in itsentirety, which can be quickly and easily applied yet is readilyremovable and protected from scratches, scuffs, gouges and other damageby maintenance equipment and general wear and tear. In particular, thereis a need for an improved appearance modification system which overcomesthe shortcomings of the stickers of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] One aspect of the invention provides a surface modifying laminatestructure containing a thin indicia containing layer disposed on acarrier film. The carrier film serves to facilitate the removal of thelaminate from a surface by peeling the laminate away without the needfor any stripping agents or other chemicals. Other optional layers inthe laminate include a bonding coat or layer for attaching the carrierfilm and indicia containing layer to a surface, at least one removableprotective layer for protecting the carrier film, the indicia containinglayer and/or any bonding layer prior to the application of the laminateto a surface, and a release coating between the indicia containinglayer, the carrier film, or the bonding coat and the removableprotective layer. The bonding coat may be selected to attach the indiciacontaining layer in a removable or repositionable manner.

[0008] Another aspect of the invention provides a surface modificationsystem which includes an indicia containing layer disposed on a carrierfilm and a surface onto which the system is to be applied. Optionally,the system may also include at least one top coat applied over at leasta portion of the laminate and over at least a portion of the surfaceadjacent the laminate. The system may additionally include at least onebase coat applied to the surface prior to application of the laminate tothe surface. The combination of the carrier film and the indiciacontaining layer in such a system should be sufficiently thin to providea minimal difference between the height of the surface without thelaminate and the height of the surface having the laminate appliedthereon. In some embodiments, the laminate is disposed on at least aportion of the surface whereby the remaining portion of the surface isdevoid of laminate. In other embodiments the laminate is applied overthe entire surface.

[0009] The inventive system also optionally includes a surface cleanerfor cleaning a surface to which an indicia containing layer has beenapplied. Such cleaners include neutral cleaners, alkaline cleaners,acidic cleaners, cleaner/maintainers and maintainers, includingpolymeric type cleaners. During surface cleaning the indicia containinglayer remains intact and is not degraded or damaged by the cleaningmaterial or process.

[0010] In practice, application of the surface modifying laminate to asurface comprises the following steps. It is advisable, but notrequired, that the surface be properly cleaned prior to the applicationof the laminate to remove dirt or debris which may adversely affect theoverall appearance of the laminate covered surface. The next stepinvolves positioning or disposing the laminate, indicia containing layerside down, on at least a portion of the surface. After such positioning,a top coat may be applied over at least a portion of the laminate andthe surface. In some embodiments a base coat layer may be applied to thesurface after the cleaning step but prior to positioning the laminate onthe surface.

[0011] In certain constructions, the surface modifying laminate isstrong enough that it may be readily removed from the surface simply bypeeling the carrier film away from the surface. In a process forremoving the laminate from an enhanced surface wherein at least aportion of the laminate is disposed below a top coat, conventional meansmay be employed to remove the top coat prior to the removal of thelaminate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary surfacemodifying laminate according to the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a surface to which the surfacemodifying laminate of the present invention has been applied. Althoughthe laminate structure is depicted as a single block in FIG. 2, itshould be understood that the laminate actually includes multiplelayers, as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present invention is directed to surface modificationlaminates used to modify or enhance a surface and to surfacemodification systems that include the laminates. Such laminates andsystems enable modification or enhancement of a surface with visualimages and/or text disposed on at least a portion of the surface.Alternatively, the entire appearance or color of the surface can bemodified.

[0015] The present invention has potential applications on any surfacewhere visual images, text, color, graphics and/or designs can be appliedto provide a modified visual appearance of the surface. Such surfacesmay be found both indoors and outdoors on such objects as architecturalstructures, vehicles and consumer products. As used herein, the termarchitectural structure includes building structures, such as floors,walls, ceilings, windows, roofs, patios, shelves, and stairs, and groundcover structures, such as roads, driveways, and sidewalks. Examples ofvehicles to which the surface modifying laminates may be appliedinclude, automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, trucks, motorcycles, andbicycles. Toys and appliances are only two of many consumer products towhich the surface modifying laminates may be applied. The surface to bemodified may be made from a vast variety of materials, including, butnot limited to, vinyl, marble, terrazzo, ceramic, linoleum, wood, metal,plastic, rubber, gypsum board, plaster, concrete, stone, vinylcomposition tile, and glass.

[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 show exemplary embodiments of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 1, the laminate structure 18 includes a carrier film 20and an indicia containing layer 22 disposed on the lower surface of thecarrier film 20. In the structure exemplified in FIG. 2, the surface 24to be modified is at least partially covered by the carrier film 20 ontowhich the indicia containing layer 22 has been disposed. The surfacemodifying laminate of FIG. 1 and the surface modifying system of FIG. 2further include, a bonding coat 26 disposed against the lower surface ofthe carrier film 20, and a top coat 34 applied over the top of thelaminate structure. A base coat 28 is also shown in FIG. 2, sandwichedbetween the surface to be modified 24 and the bonding coat 26.Additionally, the present invention can include removable protectivelayers 30 and 32. Upper removable layer 30 is designed to protect theupper surface of the carrier film 20 and lower removable layer 32 isdesigned to protect the indicia containing layer 22 and/or any bondingcoat 26 applied thereto and/or any portion of the lower surface of thecarrier film 20 not having any indicia containing layer or bonding coatdisposed thereon, if any. Although not shown in the figures, thelaminate may also include a release coat between the upper removablelayer and the carrier film and/or between the lower removable layer andthe exposed lower surface of the carrier film or any bonding coatapplied thereto.

[0017] The carrier film facilitates the transfer of the indiciacontaining layer to the surface to be modified and removal of thelaminate from the surface. The inventors have surprising andunexpectedly discovered that the carrier film is selected and designedsuch that the carrier film, along with the indicia containing layerdisposed thereon, may be readily removed by peeling the laminate layeraway from the surface, either in a single sheet or in smaller pieces.This eliminates the need for conventional stripping agents and makes theremoval process, less expensive, less energy intensive, and less timeconsuming. It also eliminates the need for stripping chemicals whichpose a hazard to both the user and the environment.

[0018] The carrier film should be thin so that the thickness of the seambetween the surface and the laminate is minimized. In some embodimentsthe carrier film has a thickness of 8 mils or less. This includesembodiments where the carrier film has a thickness of 6 mils or less,embodiments where the carrier film has a thickness of 4 mils or less,and embodiments where the carrier film has a thickness of 2 mils orless, and embodiments where the film has a thickness of 0.5 mils orless, where a “mil” is defined as one one-thousandth of an inch. Thechoice of film thickness will depend, at least in part, on the intendedapplication and location of the laminate. Additionally, the type of filmwill impact the film strength. Thus, it may be possible to utilize filmsof particular materials in a thinner dimension while maintainingsufficient strength to be peeled away from the surface without tearingor with only minor amounts of tearing. A thinner film might be moredesirable where it is imperative that the transition from the surface tothe laminate is nearly imperceptible. Alternatively, a thicker filmmight be used to smooth out an underlying surface that is uneven, rough,or damaged.

[0019] The carrier film may be made from any material onto which theindicia containing layer may be applied or printed. Examples of suitablematerials for the carrier film include, but are not limited to, fabrics,foils, polymeric sheeting, and paper. Specific examples of suitablepolymeric sheeting materials include, but are not limited to,polypropylene films, polyacetal films, polyamide films, polyanhydridefilms, polyester films, polyolefin films, polystyrene films, polyvinylchloride films, polyvinylidene chloride films, polyurethane films,polyurea films, and the like. In some embodiments the carrier film istransparent, such that the indicia containing layer in visible throughthe carrier film.

[0020] The indicia containing layer may comprise a design, picture,graphic, text, or the like and may exist as a continuous ordiscontinuous layer on the carrier film. In some embodiments the indiciacontaining layer may be a substantially continuous layer coveringsubstantially the entire carrier film. The indicia containing layer ismade from an ink, pigment, or dye formulation which may contain anysuitable ink, dye, or pigment that is capable of being applied, forexample by dry transfer or printing, to the lower surface of the carrierfilm. In some embodiments the graphic provided by the indicia containinglayer gives the appearance of a painted graphic or even a photograph. Insome embodiments, the ink, pigments, or dyes are readily dissolvable inwater or common organic solvents, are readily removable, and do notmigrate or diffuse into the adjacent carrier layer, base coat or topcoat of the system. Suitable inks include UV cured inks, water basedinks, or solvent based inks. The indicia containing layer may be amulti-colored layer and the inks, dyes, and/or pigments that make up thelayer may be contained in a single stratum or multiple strata within theindicia containing layer. In some embodiments the ink formulation is a100% active formulation.

[0021] As noted above, the present invention may optionally include abonding coat on the lower surface of the indicia containing layer or anyportion of the lower surface of the carrier film devoid of the indiciacontaining layer as shown in FIG. 1, where the lower surface is thesurface that will be face down with respect to the surface once thelaminate is applied. Such a bonding coat can be made from an adhesivewhich serves to adhere the indicia containing layer and carrier film tothe surface. The tackiness of the adhesive may vary over a broad rangedepending on the intended application of the laminate. As used herein,the term “tack” refers to the rate at which an adhesive bond formsbetween two surfaces. As one of skill in the art will recognize, thetack of certain adhesive may be influenced by the thickness of theadhesive layer. In embodiments where it is desirable to provide asurface modification system wherein the laminate is readily removed fromthe surface, the adhesive should be selected such that it bondspreferentially to the carrier film, rather than the surface to bemodified. In certain embodiments the tack of the adhesive will rangefrom 50 to 2000 grams per square centimeter. This includes embodimentswhere the tack of the adhesive ranges from 100 to 1500 grams per squarecentimeter, and further includes embodiments where the tack of theadhesive ranges from 150 to 1000 grams per square centimeter.

[0022] The bonding coat or layer should be thin in order to minimize thecombined thickness of the bonding layer, the indicia containing layer,and the carrier film. In various embodiments the combined thickness ofthese three components is 8 mils or less, 6 mils or less, 5 mils orless, 4 mils or less and even 2 mils or less. Suitable adhesives for usein the bonding coat or layer include pressure sensitive adhesives. Insome embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesives are non-curingadhesives or adhesives that do not require curing after application,because such adhesives may be more easily removed from some surfaces.For example, in some embodiments, curable epoxies are avoided. Othersuitable adhesives include temperature sensitive adhesives,repositionable adhesives, or any other suitable adhesive known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Examples of suitable pressure sensitiveadhesives include, but are not limited to those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,845,149; 4,879,333; and 4,923,919, which are incorporated hereinby reference. In some embodiments the bonding coat can include asupported adhesive.

[0023] The bonding coat may be applied directly to the lower surface ofthe indicia containing layer or any exposed portion of the lower surfaceof the carrier film or may first be applied to the surface of aprotective removable layer, of the type described below, which is thendisposed adjacent to the lower surface of the indicia containing layeror exposed lower surface of the carrier film, sandwiching the adhesivecoating between the indicia containing layer and the removableprotective layer. In this embodiment it is advantageous if the adhesivebonds preferentially to the indicia containing layer and/or any exposedportion of the lower surface of the carrier film such that it istransferred along with the indicia containing layer and carrier filmonto the surface to be modified. The bonding coat may be applied to thesurface of the indicia containing layer, any exposed portion of thelower surface of the carrier film or the protective layer by anyconventional means. For example, the adhesive may be spray coated,rolled or printed onto the indicia containing layer and carrier film orprotective layer. In some embodiments the bonding coat dissolves readilyin mild detergents. Alternatively, the bonding may be applied directlyto the surface to be modified, or a portion thereof, and the indiciacontaining layer and carrier film may subsequently be adhered to theadhesive.

[0024] In some embodiments, the bonding coat may be omitted. Forexample, an external source may be utilized to maintain the position ofthe indicia containing layer and carrier film on the surface to bemodified during application of a top coat over at least a portion of thelaminate such that the top coat secures the laminate to the surface.

[0025] As noted above, the indicia containing layer may optionallyinclude a removable protective layer disposed below the indiciacontaining layer and/or above the carrier film. The lower removableprotective layer, namely the protective layer below the indiciacontaining layer, protects the indicia containing layer from damageduring handling. A release coating may be included between the lowerremovable protective layer and the indicia containing layer in order tofacilitate the transfer of the indicia containing layer to the surfaceto be modified. In some embodiments the laminate includes an upperremovable protective layer disposed next to the upper surface of thecarrier film. In such embodiments, a bonding coat as described above,may be included between the removable protective layer and the indiciacontaining layer. In this construction the removable protective layerserves to prevent debris from collecting in the adhesive and to preventthe adhesive from attaching to a surface prematurely.

[0026] The upper and lower removable protective layers may be made fromthe same or different materials. Suitable materials include, but are notlimited to, plastics, such as polyester, polypropylene, or polyethylene.The removable protective layer or layers may optionally be transparentmaterials. In some embodiments the removable protective layer or layersare made from paper which may optionally be coated paper. This has theadvantage of significantly lowering the cost of production of thesurface modifying laminates. In addition, because the paper may bereadily recycled, this embodiment saves energy and reduces waste.

[0027] Suitable materials for use in release coats are well known andinclude, but are not limited to, polyvinyl chloride and acrylicsdesigned to facilitate the release of the removable layer or layers fromthe carrier film, the indicia containing layer or the bonding coat. Therelease coat may be designed to remain substantially adhered to theremovable protective layer after the transfer of the remainder of thelaminate to the surface to be modified. Alternatively, the release coatmay be designed to remain substantially adhered to the indiciacontaining layer, the bonding coat, or the carrier film after thetransfer. In the latter design, the release coat is referred to as abreakaway coating. The breakaway coating should be selected and designedsuch that it does not substantially affect the thickness of the appliedlaminate and assimilates with the indicia containing layer withoutnegatively affecting the appearance of that layer. In other embodimentsthe release coat is split between the indicia containing layer or thecarrier film and the removable protective layer upon the removal of thelatter. In various embodiments, the combined thickness of the carrierfilm, the indicia containing layer, any bonding coat and any releasecoating is 8 mils or less, 6 mils or less, 5 mils or less, 4 mils orless, or even 2 mils or less.

[0028] After the application of the surface modifying laminates to thesurface to be modified, at least one top coat may be disposed over atleast a portion of the laminate and over at least a portion of thesurface adjacent the laminate. The top coat may be any conventionalsealant or finish and may be applied as a solid or a liquid top coat.Such top coats are well known and commercially available and aregenerally used to impart shine, dirt resistance, water resistance,and/or scratch/wear resistance to the surface. The top coat may helpadhere the laminate to the surface to be modified and to further smoothout the already extremely narrow edges of the laminate. Anotheradvantage provided by the top coat is that it provides a surface havinga single coefficient of friction which helps prevent trips, slips andfalls. However, the top coat is not required.

[0029] For many applications, such as floor applications, it isdesirable for a surface finish to provide a slip-resistant surface or asurface having a single coefficient of friction which helps preventtrips, slips and falls. In some instances, the flexible film may providea sufficiently slip-resistant surface, however, when it is desirable toincrease the slip-resistance of the film, a top coat which provides acoefficient of friction higher than that of the film may be applied overat least a portion of the film. In some embodiments the top coat mayprovide a non-slip surface. As used herein, a “non-slip” surface is asurface having a coefficient of friction of at least 0.5 as measured byASTM D 2047, a standard test method for determining the staticcoefficient of friction of polish-coated floor surfaces as measured bythe James Machine. This includes embodiments where the top coat providesa surface having a coefficient of friction of at least 0.55, furtherincludes embodiments where the top coat provides a surface having acoefficient of friction of at least 0.6, still further includesembodiments where the top coat provides a surface having a coefficientof friction of at least 0.65, yet further includes embodiments where thetop coat provides a surface having a coefficient of friction of at least0.7, and even further includes embodiments where the top coat provides asurface having a coefficient of friction of at least 0.75.

[0030] Examples of suitable top coats include, but are not limited to,polymeric top coats, such as acrylic finishes. Specific examples of suchtop coats include styrene acrylics, urethane acrylics, urethanes,including polyurethanes, vinyls, epoxys, and the like. Such top coatsmay or may not be alkali-soluble top coats. Such top coats can be curedor uncured, permanent or non-permanent. As used herein, a “cured”coating includes coatings that are formed by the evaporation of asolvent and the coalescence of the solid film without crosslinking (i.e.“evaporatively-cured”coatings) and coatings that are formed bycrosslinking reactions. Suitable, commercially floor finishes for use astop coat herein include SIGNATURE floor finish, VECTRA floor finish,PREMIA floor finish, JON-WOOD Waterborne wood floor finish, all of whichare available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc. In various embodiments, thecombined thickness of the laminate and any top coat is 8 mils or less, 6mils or less, 5 mils or less, 4 mils or less, or even 2 mils or less.However, it is not imperative that the top coat be particularly thin.

[0031] Suitable commercially available cured floor finishes for use withthe floor finish systems provided herein include Signature, a metalinterlock styrene-acrylic finish that cures at ambient temperatures,available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc. (Racine Wis.). Suitablecommercially available evaporatively-cured floor finishes includeZF-175, Linobase, and JX-4000, available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc.(Racine, Wis.). Conventional floor finishes mixed with crosslinkinghardeners may also be employed. For example, Signature may be mixed withabout 1% polyaziridine to provide a more durable crosslinked finish.

[0032] As noted above, at least one base coat may be disposed betweenthe surface to be modified and the carrier film of the laminate.Suitable base coats are well known and commercially available. The basecoat can be of similar or identical composition to the top coat, aspreviously discussed, or a different composition.

[0033] Further embodiments of the present invention allow for a firstsurface modifying laminate to be applied to a surface, followed by theapplication of a top coat over at least a portion of the first surfacemodifying laminate, and the subsequent application of a second surfacemodifying laminate disposed on top of the top coat, optionally followedby an additional top coating. Further, alternating layers of laminateand top coats can be utilized to achieve a desired effect. In such anembodiment, as in previous embodiments, a base coating layer can bedisposed on top of the surface prior to application of the first surfacemodifying laminate. In these multi-layered constructions, the uppermostlaminate may be made from a series of individual portions or patches oflaminate. This embodiment is useful because monitoring the degree ofdisappearance of the uppermost laminate allows the user to determinewhen the surface requires reapplication of a top coat over the lowerlaminates. The ability to provide multiple layers of laminates is alsoadvantageous because it allows the lower laminates to be patched inorder to fix holes or cover damage. Further, it provides for optionallayering of laminates to easily modify the appearance of a surface, forexample, to match seasonal decor or displays.

[0034] In readying the surface for application of a surface modifyinglaminate, it is recommended, but not required, that the surfaceinitially be cleaned or stripped to remove dirt, debris or similarwaste, as well as any inferior coatings applied on the surface.Conventional cleaners including neutral cleaners, alkaline cleaners,acidic cleaners, cleaners/maintainers, or maintainers includingpolymeric cleaners, may be utilized for this purpose. One such cleaneris JWP UHS Cleaner available from JohnsonDiversey, Inc. Dust mopping, orsimilar light cleaning may be utilized to remove the majority of thedust and dirt. After cleaning and stripping, the laminate is positionedon the surface. The film may be applied beginning at one edge byadhering an edge of the film to the surface, using any adhesive coatedon the lower surface of the film or a strip of tape, and spreading (e.g.rolling) the film outwardly from that edge, pressing it onto the surfaceas it spreads. A tool having a flat edge may be utilized to uniformlyapply the film to the surface and remove any bubbles, wrinkles, etc.Such tools include, rubbing sticks, rigid blades, flat-bladed squeegees,T-bars, including weighted T-bars and rollers, including heated and/orweighted rollers. Any bubbles remaining in the film after applicationmay be removed by pricking the bubbles with a pin or similar object torelease trapped air or liquid. If the laminate is packaged with one ormore removable protective layers, those layers are removed, exposing theindicia containing layer or the bonding coat, if present, and applyingthe laminate to the surface, typically by applying light pressure. Arubbing stick, squeegee or roller may be utilized to uniformly apply thelaminate to the surface and remove any bubbles, wrinkles, etc. After thelaminate is suitably placed and positioned on the surface to bemodified, any removable layers may be peeled away. Next, a top coat maybe disposed over at least a portion of the laminate. Multiple layers ofthe top coat may be applied.

[0035] Alternatively, a water release or water slide technique can beutilized to position the laminate on the surface whereby the laminate ispositioned above the surface and moisture is applied to slide theindicia containing layer and carrier film off of a removable protectivelayer and onto the surface.

[0036] The inventors have surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered thatbubbles in the film may be reduced or eliminated by first applying athin layer or mist of a liquid wetting agent having a surface tension,equal to or less than the surface tension of water to the surface to befinished, or to the lower surface of the indicia containing layer priorto the application of the indicia containing layer and film to thesurface such that the liquid wetting agent is disposed between theindicia containing layer and the surface to be finished or modified,after the laminate is applied to such surface. Suitable liquid wettingagents include water, conventional cleaning solutions includingalcohol-containing cleaners, acidic cleaners, alkaline cleaners,maintainers, and floor finishes similar to those used herein as a topcoat.

[0037] Bubbles may also be reduced by using an air or liquid permeablefilm or by using a film that has one or more perforations to allow anyliquid or air trapped below the film to escape as the film is flattenedonto the surface. The perforations may include holes of various shapes,however narrow slits or pin holes are preferred because they allow airand liquid to escape without significantly reducing the smoothness ofthe film. This is desirable because a rough surface may wear out fasteras dirt collects in rough areas and edges become frayed. Thus, thenumber of perforation is desirably sufficient to reduce the number ofbubbles without unnecessarily roughening the surface of the film orweakening the film. In some embodiments, the films have an average of atleast 1 perforation per square foot. This includes embodiments where thefilms have an average of at least 10 perforations per square foot. Insome embodiments, the films have an average of no more than about fivehundred perforations per square foot. This includes embodiment where thefilms have an average of no more than about two hundred perforations persquare foot, further includes embodiments where the films have anaverage of no more than about one hundred perforations per square footand still further includes embodiments where the films have an averageof no more than about fifty perforations per square foot.

[0038] The flexible films may be provided in sheets or rolls and may beapplied as a single sheet or in multiple smaller film segments. The filmsegments may take on a variety of shapes, but desirably include one ormore straight edges. Suitable shapes include rectangles and squares.When multiple film segments are laid down they are desirably disposedadjacent each other with edges in contact, but not overlapping. Thisprocess may be facilitated using a laser-guided chalk line to helpestablish straight rows and clean butt joints.

[0039] Maintenance of a laminate-modified surface according to thepresent invention, may be handled by utilization of commonly usedcleaners, including neutral cleaners, alkaline cleaners, acidiccleaners, polymeric cleaners and polymeric maintainers. Commonlyavailable products such as JWP Stride Cleaner available fromJohnsonDiversey, Inc. can be utilized. After the cleaner is applied tothe surface, an agitating force sufficient to remove dirt from thelaminate without damaging the laminate may be applied. This may beaccomplished with commonly used mechanical tools such as auto-scrubbersand buffers.

[0040] It should be noted that the layer thicknesses depicted in thefigures, is for illustration purposes only and is in no way meant toreflect the actual thickness of each layer or its relative thicknesswith respect to any other layer.

[0041] These embodiments represent a few possibilities for the inventiveappearance enhancement and modification system of the present invention.While the principles of this invention have been described in connectionwith specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that thesedescriptions are made only by a way of example and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

1. A surface modifying laminate comprising: (a) a carrier film having anupper surface and a lower surface, the film at least partially coveringa surface to be modified; (b) an indicia-containing layer disposed on atleast a portion of the lower surface of the carrier film; and (c) acured top coat disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface ofthe carrier film.
 2. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1, whereinthe carrier film is a transparent film, such that the indicia-containinglayer is visible through the carrier film.
 3. The surface modifyinglaminate of claim 1, wherein the indicia-containing layer is asubstantially continuous layer covering substantially the entire carrierfilm.
 4. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1, wherein theindicia-containing layer is printed onto the lower surface of thecarrier film.
 5. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1, wherein thecarrier film is perforated.
 6. The surface modifying laminate of claim1, wherein the carrier film comprises a film selected from the groupconsisting of polypropylene films, polyacetal films, polyamide films,polyanhydride films, polyester films, polyolefin films, polystyrenefilms, polyvinylchloride films, polyvinylidene chloride films,polyurethane films, and polyurea films.
 7. The surface modifyinglaminate of claim 1, wherein the top coat is not an alkali-soluble topcoat.
 8. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1, wherein the top coatis a crosslinked top coat.
 9. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1,wherein the top coat is a permanent top coat.
 10. The surface modifyinglaminate of claim 1, wherein the top coat is selected from the groupconsisting of acrylic coatings, polyurethane coatings, vinyl coatingsand epoxy coatings.
 11. The surface modifying laminate of claim 1,further comprising a bonding layer disposed between the surface to bemodified and the indicia-containing layer.
 12. A surface modifyinglaminate comprising: (a) a perforated carrier film having an uppersurface and a lower surface, the film at least partially covering asurface to be modified; (b) an indicia-containing layer disposed on atleast a portion of the lower surface of the carrier film.
 13. Thesurface modifying laminate of claim 12, wherein the carrier film is atransparent film, such that the indicia-containing layer is visiblethrough the carrier film.
 14. The surface modifying laminate of claim12, wherein the indicia-containing layer is a substantially continuouslayer covering substantially the entire carrier film.
 15. The surfacemodifying laminate of claim 12, wherein the indicia-containing layer isprinted onto the lower surface of the carrier film.
 16. The surfacemodifying laminate of claim 12, wherein the carrier film comprises anaverage of at least 1 perforation per square foot.
 17. The surfacemodifying laminate of claim 12, wherein the carrier film comprises anaverage of no more than about 200 perforations per square foot.
 18. Thesurface modifying laminate of claim 2, wherein the carrier film comprisea film selected from the group consisting of polypropylene films,polyacetal films, polyamide films, polyanhydride films, polyester films,polyolefin films, polystyrene films, polyvinylchloride films,polyvinylidene chloride films, polyurethane films, and polyurea films.19. The surface modifying laminate of claim 12, further comprising acured top coat disposed on at least a portion of the upper surface ofthe carrier film.
 20. A method for modifying a surface, the methodcomprising: (a) applying a surface modifying laminate to the surface tobe modified, the laminate comprising a carrier film having an uppersurface and a lower surface and an indicia-containing layer disposed onat least a portion of the lower surface of the carrier film; (b)applying a curable composition over at least a portion of the uppersurface of the carrier film; and (c) curing the composition to provide acured polymer top coat.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprisingapplying a liquid wetting agent having a surface tension equal to orless than the surface tension of water to the surface to be finished, tothe lower surface of the carrier film, or to the indicia containinglayer prior to applying the laminate to the surface, such that theliquid wetting agent is disposed between the indicia containing layerand the surface to be finished after the laminate is applied to thesurface to be modified.